Airport Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program

Overview

General Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program

The Department of Transportation's (DOT) Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program is implemented by recipients of DOT Federal Financial Assistance. Recipients are primarily state highway, transit, and airport agencies that receive funds subject to Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations part 26 (49 CFR 26). A similar program (49 CFR 23) for airport concession DBEs (ACDBE), is mandated by 49 U.S.C. 47107(e). The DBE and ACDBE programs were most recently amended in 2024.

Federal Regulations

Airport Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program Essentials

Prompt Payment

Small Business Program Element

Airport Disadvantaged Business Partners

How to Become Certified as a DBE and/or ACDBE

In order to compete as a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) for airport projects that are funded with Federal dollars, or for an airport concession opportunity, you must first be certified as a DBE under the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations 49 CFR Part 26 and/or 49 CFR Part 23.

The Federal Government does not certify firms as DBEs. You must contact your home state's Unified Certification Program (UCP) to become certified. Your home state is the state where your firm's corporate headquarters is physically located, and is licensed to conduct business in that locality. There are a few states that do not have a UCP. In those cases, contact the airport that you are interested in doing business with.

For more information, please visit: State DOT and DBE program webpages

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